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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It was an unpleasant shock to start this book. The first 3rd of it is not enjoyable to read and I don't think the author found it enjoyable to write. I put it down for nearly a week, too demoralised to go on. But, I pushed through and I am glad I did. The last 3rd of the book was very good, almost worth the very slow and boring beginning. I'm very excited to start the next book, I just hope it doesn't disappoint like this one did. 3 stars, could have been 4 but for the beginning.
Oh, it would be nice for once, just once, if an author could create a desert civilisation that isn't based upon our own middle eastern/ desert societies. I would like to see a desert people with the souls of hippies.
Oh, it would be nice for once, just once, if an author could create a desert civilisation that isn't based upon our own middle eastern/ desert societies. I would like to see a desert people with the souls of hippies.
Still finding this series mysteriously gripping. He's a bit too fond of rape as both plot point and character demonstrator. It's mildly annoying that he was going on about how one character has a perfect body without explaining how this is possible given that she has had 5 children or something. It's also suspicious that the quasi-baddies are very clearly based on Islamic culture. And a lot of soap operaesque who's-going-to-marry-who. I don't know. But I want to know what's going to happen!!
I love the way the author brought the stories from the first book, The Warded Man into this book. Jardir's (the self-proclaimed Shar'Dama Ka) story shows us the brutal honor-bound culture of the desert people. He is a direct contrast the the civilized Northerners who have declared (against his will) The Warded Man their Deliverer. Ultimately both peoples want the demons destroyed but the desert people think the only way to do this is by subjugating all peoples beneath their leader & imposing their brutal faith on the world. It is interesting how the two groups can be compared to our own modern world.
My biggest complaint with the books would be how the lead female characters are always torn down, subjugated, and brutalized in one way or another. Brett builds these women up and always manages to make them a victim. I wish he hadn't done this to ALL of the best female characters. He did such a good job of making them own their own power and presence and he seemed just as determined to tear them all the way down.
I understand that one of the underlying themes of the books is the old-world old-school vision of paternal honor, but it doesn't all have to exclude woman who don't rely upon gender to achieve power.
Overall I love this series despite my gripes and I look forward to reading the last book.
My biggest complaint with the books would be how the lead female characters are always torn down, subjugated, and brutalized in one way or another. Brett builds these women up and always manages to make them a victim. I wish he hadn't done this to ALL of the best female characters. He did such a good job of making them own their own power and presence and he seemed just as determined to tear them all the way down.
I understand that one of the underlying themes of the books is the old-world old-school vision of paternal honor, but it doesn't all have to exclude woman who don't rely upon gender to achieve power.
Overall I love this series despite my gripes and I look forward to reading the last book.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this one really amped up the series, heading straight into book 3. motivations of multiple players are exposed, tweaked, disguised, and addictive. characters have truly grown and pain and anguish eloquently speak alongside delight and insight as many grow in depth. action galore, really looking forward to seeing where Brett takes the looming re-meet of our Deliverers.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, War
Too much sexual violence. Seemed not needed!